UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is a department of the United Nations Secretariat. The General Assembly tasked UNISDR to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. To this end, promoting and supporting a disaster-risk informed approach in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an important component of UNISDR's work.
The adoption by the General Assembly of the Report of the Open-ended Inter-governmental Expert Working Group (OIEWG) on Indicators and Terminology relating to Disaster Risk Reduction is a commitment to undertaking a disaster risk-informed approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs - recognising that resilient and sustainable societies will only be achieved through the identification, reduction and prevention of disaster risk.
Furthermore, in resolution 72/218 on Disaster Risk Reduction, the General Assembly recognises that disasters hamper the achievement of sustainable development, in particular that of developing countries, and encourages countries and relevant United Nations bodies, agencies, programmes and funds to take into consideration the important role of coordinated disaster risk reduction activities for the achievement of sustainable development. The resolution also encourages States to give appropriate consideration to disaster risk reduction in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where it is reflected across several Goals and targets, including in their voluntary national reviews.
2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes
UNISDR's Strategic Framework 2016-2020 is underpinned by a theory of change in which the reduction of disaster risk is essential to sustainable development, and where a risk-informed development path is key to the successful management of disaster risks. The Strategic Framework is rooted in the understanding that international agreements on disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, financing for development, and climate change mitigation and adaptation present a unique opportunity for increased coherence and global impact.
At the heart of this is the mandate to review progress against the Sendai Framework. Monitoring and reporting progress in disaster risk reduction creates a virtuous cycle of knowledge and evidence generation and application for improved policy and practice, which forms the backbone and underlying rationale of UNISDR's engagement across its strategic objectives. Supporting countries in generating risk data and information, and regular monitoring and reporting on disaster loss, risk and risk reduction practice, create the basis for analysis and evidence. It also is the basis for coherence with international processes on sustainable development and climate change, in particular the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Another key component of UNISDR's Strategic Framework is support to countries in implementing the Sendai Framework, including development of national and local strategies and plans with concrete targets and indicators, aligned with plans on sustainable development and climate change.
UNISDR's Work Programme 2016-2019 is designed to enable UNISDR to facilitate Member States and partners to reduce disaster risk in line with the Sendai Framework and other international agreements. The Results Framework for this Work Programme provides the basis for monitoring progress against the deliverables and results through a set of specific, measurable, achievable and time-bound indicators with respective baselines and targets.
UNISDR also leads the implementation of The United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: "Towards a risk-informed and integrated approach to sustainable development". The Plan of Action is a significant response to the request by Member States in the 2016 QCPR resolution to enhance coherence, coordination and efficiency at all levels in order to ensure a coherent approach to the interconnections and cross-cutting elements across the SDGs. Through the Plan of Action, the United Nations system is committed to strengthening system-wide coherence in support of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and other agreements that reinforce the 2030 Agenda through a risk-informed approach. United Nations entities have agreed to build their capacity to deliver coordinated high-quality disaster risk reduction support to countries and to maintain disaster risk reduction as a strategic priority. The Plan of Action was endorsed the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in April 2016.
2.2 Aligning the structure of the organization with the transformative features of the 2030 Agenda, including any challenges and lessons learned in doing so
In 2016, UNISDR undertook a significant internal change management process. The main objectives of the process were to optimize UNISDR's organizational structure, staffing and working arrangements; increase cost-efficiency; strengthen accountability; and maximize policy and programme coherence and impact in its core areas of work, in order for UNISDR to better position itself to deliver its mandate in alignment with strategic UN system processes, including the 2030 agenda and climate change agenda.
All staff and UNISDR's Senior Leadership Group participated in the design of the change process and agreed on the following priorities:
1) Organizational set-up;
2) Resourcing, both resource mobilization and cost savings to ensure sustainable organization;
3) Internal communication;
4) External communication;
5) People management, including performance management;
6) Staff capacity development;
7) Business processes and policies, including operations workflow and standardized processes; and
8) Partnership engagement strategy.
The new organizational set-up with rationalized functions was rolled out in July 2017, with significant savings (compared to 2016), achieved without staff reduction by reallocating positions to less costly duty stations under the principle of delivering as one team and reducing top heaviness. A business processes review and performance management workshops have further contributed to UNISDR's increased efficiency and effectiveness. New strategies on resource mobilization, partnership engagement and communication and advocacy were also developed.
Member States have commented on how the Change Management Process fits well with the Secretary-General's reform and prevention agenda, by strengthening collaboration with other UN entities, focus on partnerships with other stakeholders, and capacity of Regional Offices to provide targeted support to national and local Governments and UN Country Teams to implement the disaster risk reduction related SDGs and take a risk informed approach to sustainable development.
2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators:
As described earlier, the UNISDR Strategic Framework 2016-2021 and the Work Programme 2016-2019 is based on the priorities from the Sendai Framework 2015-2030. The Work Programme is also supported by the Results Framework which defines indicators, baselines and targets for four years. The indicators in the Results Framework are based on the overall objectives of implementing the Sendai Framework and related targets. The First Strategic Objective of the Strategic Framework is directly focussed on the "Global Progress of the Sendai Framework and related SDG targets." Similarly, the Outputs and Indicators under this Strategic Objective are also designed to monitor progress on the Sendai Framework and its related global framework, which include SDGs.
2.4 Action to enhance support to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches:
In response to the call in the Sendai Framework for specific attention to factors such as income, sex, age and disability in disaster risk reduction, the report of the OIEWG states that the collection of disaggregated data should be considered instrumental to the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework and relevant disaster risk-related targets of the SDGs. This is further reaffirmed by the General Assembly in resolution 72/218.
Linked to the development of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies, UNISDR is supporting countries with the development of national disaster loss databases - or the alignment of existing disaster loss databases to the Sendai Framework and SDGs. This includes supporting the collection and management of disaggregated baseline data to conduct disaster risk assessments and produce risk profiles to support the development of national and local disaster risk reduction policies and strategies based on a disaggregated understanding of disaster risk.
UNISDR is also developing a Sendai Framework Monitor enable countries to monitor and report on progress in implementing the Sendai Framework at national level. To this end, UNISDR is leading the development of Technical Guidance for Monitoring and Reporting on Progress in Achieving the Global Targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which provides guidance to countries on desirable disaggregation by geographic location, sex, age, disability, and income to ensure no one is left behind in reporting on progress and in the development of more accurate disaster risk reduction policies and strategies.
UNISDR's new Partnership Strategy builds on the guidance from the Sendai Framework and reflects its all-of-society approach, encompassing UNISDR partnerships with all stakeholders set out in paragraph 35 and 36 of the Sendai Framework. The focus of the strategy is to enable and support partner engagement in the implementation of the Sendai Framework in coherence with other global and regional agreements and to leave no group behind. It thereby applies a cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary and inter-generational approach.
Towards integrated policy approaches, the United Nations Senior Leadership Group on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience oversees the strategic and integrated policy aspects of the United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience. The work of the group ensures linkage and coherence with disaster risk reduction and the other international frameworks of the 2030 Agenda including the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the new Urban Agenda and other relevant frameworks such.
UNISDR is currently leading on the development of a Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF) that seeks to support the requirements of integrated policy development by combining risk assessment and impact analyses across sectors, disciplines and geographies, thereby offering solutions across the social, economic, and environmental spheres, among others.
3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:
UNISDR provides normative and technical support to countries to integrate disaster risk reduction into their national development plans and policies. This includes support to take a disaster-risk informed approach to their national SDG strategies; to implement the SDGs with disaster risk reduction specific indicators; and to promote integration between national and local disaster reduction strategies to be developed by 2020, as per Target E of the Sendai Framework. To this end, UNISDR has developed a series of guidance documents called "Words into Action" on implementing the Sendai Framework, which provide practical guidance to policy makers and practitioners on how to implement the Sendai Framework and integrate disaster risk management in a given area.
National Climate Change Adaptation Plans and National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies to be developed by 2020, as per the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework, are a key opportunity for coherence. UNISDR is working with UNFCCC to develop technical guidance to support countries to develop integrated National Climate Change Adaptation Plans and National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies. A workshop was convened in Bonn in the margins of the COP in November 2017 and the technical guidance is due to be launched in 2018.
During 2017, the UNISDR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) delivered 36 training workshops reaching 960 representatives from 63 member states and multi-stakeholder partners (40% women) that supported a deeper understanding of and planning for Sendai Framework implementation at national and local level in coherence with the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development. The training programme focused on understanding disaster risk reduction and the importance of coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement towards developing integrated plans for resilience. The methodology supports exchange of experience across sectors and stakeholders, and the replication of materials and use of localized materials towards sustainable disaster risk reduction capacity development.
Between May and October 2017, UNISDR conducted a series of regional capacity development consultations as well as an on-line consultation, towards developing a Global Capacity Development Strategy to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The consultation process aimed to understand the most urgent capacity development needs for Sendai Framework implementation and disaster risk sensitive sustainable development planning; to highlight gaps and opportunities; consult on the most appropriate solutions to address the evolving needs; and to establish a way forward to support disaster risk reduction capacity development programming. A draft Capacity Development Strategy will be presented at a global expert consultation to be held in Geneva on 14 and 15 March.
3.2 Mainstreaming the SDGs in sectoral strategies, including specific SDG/target strategies:
The UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience provides for a stronger alignment of the UN's work in disaster risk reduction with other UN system-wide approaches on related issues including the UN System Strategic Approach on Climate Change Action. The Plan of Action ensures accountability on disaster risk reduction by individual UN entities, providing information to target parts of UN where risk can be potentially increased or decreased. Implementation of the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction embraces the international momentum to use "resilience" as a common out-come that integrates poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods and climate change adaptation, as integral to sustainable development.
3.3 Data and statistical capacity building:
Progress in achieving the seven global targets of the Sendai Framework will be measured using the 33 indicators recommended in the report of the OEIWG. Disaster risk reduction indicators of SDGs 1, 11 and 13 share common indicators and datasets with the Sendai Framework targets. UNISDR is working to develop the infrastructure of a Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) to enable countries to report on-line on the Sendai Framework and on related targets and indicators of the SDGs. The development of an online version of the Sendai Framework Monitor is underway, with the first release date planned for March 2018. A set of optional national indicators has been developed that may be selected and tailored by countries to measure nationally determined targets and priorities aligned with the Sendai Framework. The first report of the Sendai Framework Monitor will be prepared for consideration at the HLPF convened under the auspices of the General Assembly in 2019.
As previously mentioned, UNISDR has produced Technical Guidance Note which will assist Member States to collect and report data for Sendai Framework Monitor as well as SDGs monitoring. UNISDR has conducted several technical workshops, most recently from December 6 to 8 in Bonn to provide technical information that will be useful for countries in developing their capacities for data collection and reporting to the disaster risk reduction related SDGs and the Sendai Framework targets.
As mentioned above, during the past decade UNISDR has promoted and supported the development of disaster loss databases. National loss and damage databases are instrumental in generating accurate date for country risk profiles and enhancing knowledge and understanding of risk with a view to designing multi-hazard disaster risk policies and adopting a risk-informed approach to sustainable development based on a localized understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions. Recently, UNISDR has released a new version of the DesInventar software which fully implements the set of new indicators required by the OEIWG report for Sendai Framework Targets A to D. This system will be able to consolidate data in annual form and pass it to the central Sendai Framework Monitor via an automated interface, reducing the burden of countries.
With a robust monitoring framework in place it is important to survey the availability of national disaster-related data, capacity gaps and resources needed to fill them and the availability of current baselines from which to measure the global targets of the Sendai Framework. In February 2017, UNISDR conducted a Sendai Framework data readiness review of 87 countries. Over 90 per cent of countries indicated the need for financial resources to cover data gaps, and many countries, particularly those in special situations, face significant capacity gaps and technological deficiencies which hinder their ability to track progress.
A comprehensive approach to data enhancement is required to address data availability, accessibility, application and quality if all countries are to effectively contribute to the first report of the Sendai Framework Monitor by 2019. At the behest of Member States (NSOs at the UN World Data Forum 2017 in Cape Town), UNISDR has established the Global Partnership for Disaster-related Statistics, together with UNECE, UNESCAP, and UNECLAC and partner organizations as a multi-stakeholder initiative to assist countries in filling gaps in disaster-related data, building national capacity and improving data quality, while also mobilizing political support.
The Sendai Framework Monitor will serve multiple purposes for Member States, regional intergovernmental organizations and local governments. It enables progress to be tracked in implementing the Sendai Framework across sectors, as well as related dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change adaptation. It will simultaneously function as a management tool to help countries develop disaster risk reduction strategies, make risk-informed policy decisions and allocate resources to prevent new disaster risks. Together with national disaster loss databases, the Sendai Framework Monitor can contribute to the development of actionable national and local disaster risk reduction policies and strategies by 2020 on the basis of on credible data, evidence and available capacities.
3.4 Science, technology and innovation for the SDGs:
UNISDR is engaging science and technology through its global and regional science and technology advisory groups (STAGs), and broader science and technology partnerships. New members of the STAG were appointed in summer 2017, with regional STAGs in development in all regions. Science and technology partners support the implementation of the Sendai Framework through the Science and Technology Roadmap, a focused action plan adopted by science and technology partners at the first Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction in January 2016. Technology is becoming more prominent in the deliberations of the groups, including through a new workstream on Natural Hazard Triggering Technological Disasters agreed at the annual meeting of the STAG in December 2017. Technology partners will be invited to join the STAGs, including through close collaboration will be established through the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE).
Another relevant area of work is the Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF), which is in the early stages of development. It is conceived so as to respond to the significantly broadened scope of disaster risk identified by Member States in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and which following inclusion of disaster risk metrics in the monitoring framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also support risk-informed realization of the SDGs. In so doing, risks related to biological, environmental, technological, natural and man-made, small-scale and large-scale, sudden and slow-onset disasters are included under a single framework. The GRAF would represent the state of the art across a wider spectrum of hazards, with a greatly reinforced emphasis on, and understanding of, vulnerability, exposure and impact, at relevant and appropriate scale across sectors and geographies. It will allow a more complete articulation of risk that is relevant and simple enough to affect decision-making, policy guidance and provide possible solutions through subsequent national and local disaster risk reduction policies and strategies.
3.5 Multi-stakeholder partnerships:
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are at the core of UNISDR's work, which is evident at the biennial Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction which bring stakeholders from around the world to share approaches to disaster risk reduction and forge new partnerships. UNISDR's new Partnership Strategy builds and reflects the all-of-society approach called for by the Sendai Framework, SDGs and Paris Agreement. It aims at the systematization and strengthening of UNISDR's partner engagement. It encompasses partnerships with all stakeholders outlined in the Sendai Framework - women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, older persons, indigenous peoples, and migrants (paragraphs 35 and 36 of the Sendai Framework), with focus on enhancing the multiplier potential of partners such Parliamentarians, private sector, science and technology and civil society and community based organizations. It aims at engaging the broader stakeholder constituencies in advocacy and capacity building for the implementation of the Sendai Framework at large, as well as engaging key partners in focused UNISDR processes and initiatives. A key element of the strategy is to build synergies and collaboration between and across stakeholder groups.
3.6 Sub-national plans/strategies and implementation for the SDGs:
UNISDR, through its five Regional Offices is providing normative guidance and technical support to Governments at national and local levels in aligning existing national disaster risk reduction strategies - or developing new ones - in line with the Sendai Framework to support the advancement of the SDGs at country level. UNISDR's support includes capacity development and policy guidance to Parliamentarians to develop their national DRR policies or related laws. Strong emphasis is being placed in integrating disaster risk reduction and sustainable development in all regions so to build a coherent approach to reducing risks at the national and local levels.
At local level, UNISDR is engaging local authorities and municipalities through the Resilient Cities Campaign and related tools (scorecard) in assessing their risks and vulnerabilities and supporting them with the development of local DRR strategies and plans while enhancing the correlation with the climate change adaptation and SDGs. For example, UNISDR Regional Office for Africa supported 50 cities in performing their self-risk assessment using the scorecard and facilitated 152 cities in joining the Making Cities Resilient campaign. In the Americas, a network of nearly 1200 municipalities participating in the Resilient Cities was built, directly addressing indicator 11b of the SDGs.
4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF:
The Chair's Summary of the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction was submitted to the President of the ECOSOC as a contribution to the thematic review of the HLPF. The Char's Summary captures the conclusions and recommendations emerging from the Global Platform, many of which support the integration of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, provide guidance for a risk-informed approach to sustainable development, and provide insight on the HLPF thematic review from a disaster risk reduction perspective. Similarly, the outcomes of the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will provide valuable contributions to the 2019 HLPF under the auspices of the ECOSOC and the General Assembly. In resolution 72/218, the General Assembly recognised the contributions of the Global Platform as well as the Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction to the HLPF.
4.2 Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF:
UNISDR contributes data and analysis to the annual Report of the Secretary General on Progress Towards the SGDs which informs the HLPF.
4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF:
UNISDR was actively involved in the HLPF sessions in 2016 and 2017. In 2016 the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction moderated a high-level session on the Voluntary National Reviews. In 2016, UNISDR organized a half day training session on Sendai Framework and DRR to the LDCs and SIDS, in collaboration with DESA and UNOHRLLS, as well as a side event on Health, DRR and SDGs, in partnership with the Government of Thailand. In 2017, UNISDR, in partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross and United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, organised a side even to communicate the key messages and outcomes from the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction to delegates and stakeholders in New York for the High-level Political Forum in order to underscore the indispensable role of disaster risk reduction in eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity and steps that can be taken to accelerate progress in meting global targets.
4.5 Supporting VNR process:
UNISDR participated at the Knowledge and Exchange on Approached and Tools for the VNRs on Geneva in December 2017 to share the Sendai Framework Monitor as a tool for monitoring the Targets of the Sendai Framework which can also provide valuable data and information for the Voluntary National Reviews. UNISDR also developed a short guidance note to support countries to reflect disaster risk reduction in their Voluntary National Reviews.
5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT? Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:
UNISDR is an observer agency to the IAEG-SDGs, providing an interface with the OIEWG, and contributing to the development of the indicator framework and monitoring system of the SDGs. At its forty-eighth session, the Statistical Commission endorsed the use of indicators developed and agreed by Member States to monitor progress in achieving the Sendai Framework global targets to also monitor implementation of the SDG targets 1.5, 11.5, 11.b, and 13.1, of which UNISDR is custodian. The shared indicators respond to the underlying principles of the 2030 Agenda to enhance coherence and simplicity and reduce the reporting burden for countries. Shared indicators can promote coherence through streamlined reporting against both agreements and the use of common multi-purpose datasets and can contribute to the identification of areas of mutual reinforcement where disaster risk reduction and sustainable development intersect. At the last meeting of the IAEG-SDG held Manama, UNISDR was invited to make a presentation about the Sendai Framework Monitor as a good example of "progress by custodian agencies on methodological development and other implementation activities on SDG indicators".
UNISDR is member of UNWater and will participate at the 28th UN-Water meeting on the 1-2 February. UNISDR has been invited to jointly draft a section of SDG 11.5 in the "UN-Water SDG 6 Synthesis Report 2018" to be reported at the 2018 HLPF. UNISDR is also engaged in the implementation of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development to raise awareness and improve understanding of water-related disasters risks and their impacts, and ensure a risk-informed approach to the implementation o0f the Decade.
UNISDR has also supports the CEB on disaster risk reduction issues, most recently on revising the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience and the disaster risk reduction elements of the UN System Strategic Approach on Climate Change Action.
6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:
UNISDR is promoting a unique multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society and inclusive approach to reducing risks and vulnerabilities to disasters. To do so, UNISDR is actively engaging a wide variety of core stakeholder groups and networks of partners to mobilize their expertise and contribution to implementing the Sendai Framework and relevant SGD targets at their respective level and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction within their relevant sectors as outlined below:
• Science and Technology
All UNISDR Regional Offices are mobilizing the scientific and technical expertise available in their respective region to facilitate the implementation of the scientific components of the Sendai Framework through the development of regional Science and Technology Advisory Groups (Regional STAGs). These regional groups mirror the work and structure of a global Science and Technology Group (Global STAG) coordinated through UNISDR HQ with the same objectives. These groups serve to mobilize the scientific, academic and technical expertise to build scientific evidence to disaster risk reduction through the collection, analysis and management of reliable scientific and technical disaster information and data to support and influence DRR decision-making and investment. In Arab States, the Arab Science and Technology Advisory Group for DRR is in the process of being established (TORs in development) and will specifically support scientific research of disaster risk patterns, causes and effects to support the availability and application of science and technology to decision-making. The composition and modalities of work of each regional STAG may vary according to the source of expertise or capacity available. In the Americas for instance, the Science and Technology Advisory Group is led through a network of universities called REDULAC (Latin America and Caribbean Network of Universities for Disaster Risk Reduction). Similarly, in Africa, UNISDR's regional Office for Africa (ROAF) is supporting Periperi U, a partnership of 12 African universities committed to building local disaster risk related capacity, as a possible lead partner for the African STAG. In Asia, UNISDR Asia Science Technology Academia Advisory Group (ASTAAG) is a key mechanism that works to implement the Asian Science and Technology Roadmap and convenes biennial science and technology conferences on DRR.
• Private sector
UNISDR has developed over the past five years a Global Alliance of Private Sector for Disaster Risk Reduction (Global ARISE) that groups together private sector companies interested and engaged in ensuring the private sector's resilience to disasters through business continuity and the promotion of risk sensitive investments. Several regions (Europe, Americas, Arab States replicated the development of the Global ARISE at the regional level with the development of Regional ARISE networks. In the Arab region, this subjects starts gaining prominence and three private sector representatives are now members of the Arab States Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. The active engagement of the private sector in disaster risk reduction is also reaching out to national level. In the Americas for instance, UNISDR Regional Office for the Americas (ROAM) continued expanding the network of private sector in the Americas with the launch of eight new national ARISE networks. In Asia Pacific, UNISDR Regional Office for Asia Pacific has supported the establishment of ARISE national platforms in Japan, Fiji and Philippines and in the process of forming one in India. Also, in consultation with partners and private sector, UNISDR developed a revised toolkit on business continuity planning. The Chambers of Commerce have expressed interest to further tailor the toolkit to be sector specific i.e. for manufacturing, services and agriculture, demonstrating increased demand from the private sector to integrate DRR tools in their work. In the Pacific, having validated the usefulness of the toolkit, the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council has sought UNISDR's technical support in the roll-out of basic BCP training across Fiji and three other Pacific countries in 2018.
UNISDR is a founding member of the Insurance Development Forum (IDF). The IDF aims to optimise and extend the use of insurance and its related risk management capabilities to build greater resilience and protection for people, communities, businesses, and public institutions that are vulnerable to disasters and their associated economic shocks. The SRSG for DRR sits on the Steering Committee, and UNISDR Co-Chairs one of the working groups.
The Sendai Framework recognizes that, though the primary responsibility to reduce risks lies with governments, stakeholders have a very strong role to play in supporting efforts in assessing and reducing disaster risk at all levels.
• Civil society
UNISDR is making particular efforts to reach out to and engage civil society in reducing disaster risks, including NGOs, community-based organizations and the most vulnerable groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous groups, the elderly etc. through a structured mechanisms of leader appointment for each group and the mobilization of core partners at community level (such as IFRC, women groups and network of NGOs and practitioners), through awareness-raising campaigns and capacity building opportunities.
UNISDR Asia Pacific for instance is partnering with the Asia Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) and with community practitioners (e.g. through Huairou Commission) that convene the civil society voices for DRR coordination in the region. Strong focus is being placed on youth in most regions and a Youth Engagement Platform (YEP) for Disaster Risk Reduction was developed to engage youth from all regions in supporting Governments in implementing the Sendai Framework and integrating youth's considerations and innovative approaches to reducing risks and vulnerabilities and in building the resilience of future generations to disasters.
UNISDR Office for the Arab States launched the Arab Youth for Resilience campaign 2017- 2020 which focuses on building youth capacities to contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement for Climate Change. In each region, Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction are held every two years and integrate youth components, including a pre-Youth Forum (Asia, Arab States, Americas, Africa, Pacific) during which youth are actively engaged in contributing to regional discussions.
• Local Governments
UNISDR, through its regional offices, is working closely with local governments in assessing their risk and in developing local disaster risk reduction strategies and plans in the context of the Resilient Cities Campaign. (see all details under 3, local level)
• Parliamentarians
Building on its 10 year work with Parliamentarians to foster a political environment to achieve sustainable communities resilient to disasters, UNISDR's Parliamentarian Initiative in 2016-2017 intensified its efforts supporting members of parliament understanding and implementing the Sendai Framework enabling the creation of better laws and regulations, informed budgets and stronger accountability, as well as coherent approach between the implementation of the Sendai Framework, the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. In particular, this supported disaster-risk related SDGs such as Goals 1, 11, 13 which are directly connected to the Sendai Framework through common indicators. It also supports SDG 9, 12, 14, 16 and 17.
The main DRR event in 2017, the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction saw the active attendance of many Parliamentarians and Parliamentarian networks, including at a Parliamentarian Side Event which agreed on future technical support by UNISDR to Parliamentarian partners including training and guidance materials in close collaboration with IPU. This builds on collaboration such as the IPU-led Regional Seminar on SDGs for the Parliaments of Central and Eastern Europe in Bucharest in April 2016 where UNISDR introduced the Sendai Framework as a critical element for the achievement of the SDGs. Lawmakers also attended the Regional Platforms for DRR, held in all five UNISDR regions as well as other UNISDR-led global and regional events. In his Opening Address to the 2016 "Women in Parliament Summit" the SRSG encouraged the Arab Region to pursue risk reduction and gender issues through the UNISDR-WIP Caucus of Women for the DRR.
In March 2016, the assembly of the East African Community (EAC) passed the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act. As culmination of a process initiated by UNISDR in 2010, it is the first such regional legislation in Africa. Over the course of 2017, EAC parliamentarians developed a roadmap for the implementation of the Act, including priorities such as awareness raising of the legislation amongst various target groups, strengthening regional coordination, better networking across institutions and sectors and enhanced regional and national capacity development on disaster risk reduction, and partnerships.
In 2016, UNISDR and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) provided training to the Parliamentarians Network for Resilience to Disasters in Central Africa (REPARC), set up in October 2015 to address disaster risk reduction and climate change issues in the region, with a key focus on coherence between the post-2015 agreements.
European parliamentarians actively engaged through the European Parliament Disaster Risk Reduction network and the 2017 European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction Open Forum. Outcomes of this engagement included the European Parliament resolution on 1 June 2017 on 'Resilience as a Strategic Priority of the External Action of the EU', embedding the Sendai Framework in EU foreign policy priorities. In addition, the European Parliament continued to support the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the Sendai Framework. As part of a new agreement between UNISDR and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on DRR advocacy, local Parliamentarians adopted an option in March 2017 on the Sendai Framework Action Plan.
In the Americas region, UNISDR signed an agreement with Parlamericas focusing on raising awareness raising and information exchange in the region and globally to promote and influence risk-informed decision-making and legislation; facilitating the engagement of parliamentarians in regional, national and global Sendai Framework implementation, supporting an all-of-society approach by actively engaging other core stakeholder groups.
Parliamentarians in Asia-Pacific region are organized through the Asian Advisory Group of Parliamentarians for Disaster Risk Reduction. Parliamentarians from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Japan and Nepal participated in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in November 2016 in India, organised by UNISDR, and issued a Statement of Action highlighting their commitments and recognizing the unique opportunity to achieve risk-resilient and sustainable development through the implementation of the Sendai Framework. They also developed a roadmap to implement the Sendai Framework in the region including through increasing the understanding of the parliamentarians on disaster risk, strengthening legislation across development sectors while integrating disaster risk reduction, and enhancing risk-sensitive investments and accountability.
7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, as recognized by the UN General Assembly, is the main forum at the global level for strategic advice, coordination and partnership development and for monitoring and reviewing progress in the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. One of the main functions of the Global Platform is to share practice and knowledge on disaster risk-informed policies, programmes and investments, including on development and climate issues. The outcomes of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction inform the deliberations of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development from disaster risk reduction perspective.
The fifth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction took place in Cancun, Mexico, from 24 to 26 May, 2017. The event was attended by over 4,000 participants and it reaffirmed the remarkable commitment of Member States and stakeholders to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Member States stressed that the full implementation of the Sendai Framework will also reinforce their efforts to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement and to achieve the SDGs. Member States reaffirmed the role of the Global Platform as the global multi-stakeholder mechanism for accelerating implementation, monitoring the progress and ensuring coherence with other global frameworks, in particular with the SDGs and Paris Agreement.
The sixth session of the Global Platform will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 17 May, 2019. It will represent the next important opportunity for the international community to boost the implementation of the Sendai Framework, in coherence with SDGs, and it will allow for the first time to take stock on the progress made based on data submitted by Member States. The outcomes of the next Global Platform will be submitted to the HLPF in 2019.
At the regional level, all UNISDR Regional Offices are facilitating the organization of biennial multi-stakeholder Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction in close collaboration with interested Host Governments that serve to:
•Assess progress, identify gaps and monitor the implementation of the Sendai Framework at regional level and regional DRR strategy and action plan;
•Guide Governments in policy-making, understanding risk and implementing the Sendai Framework at regional and national levels
•Foster sharing of lessons learned and good practices for replication;
•Forge innovative partnerships in disaster risk reduction in the region.
The Regional Platforms are also increasingly recognized as instrumental in building coherence across the DRR, sustainable development and climate change agendas at regional and national levels.
The latest Regional Platforms include:
AFRICA: Africa Regional Platform for DRR, November 2016, Mauritius
•Organized in cooperation with the African Union
•Evaluated progress and identified and prioritized key actions to accelerate the implementation of the Africa Programme of Action and the Sendai Framework in Africa.
•Endorsed the Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa
•Adopted the Mauritius Declaration on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa
•Shaped the Africa Common Position to the 2019 Global Platform for DRR
AMERICAS: Fifth Regional Platform for DRR for the Americas, March 2017, Montreal, Canada
•More than 1000 delegates participated in the RP, including policy makers, practitioners, experts and disaster risk managers.
•Included a Ministers and High-Level Authorities meeting.
•Main focus was on providing an opportunity to having an in-depth discussion of Priority 1 - Understanding disaster risk, an area of particular interests in the Americas region where knowledge gaps constituted one of the mayor causes of uneven advances towards DRR.
•Adopted the Regional Action Plan and Montreal Declaration to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework in the Americas, approved by national country representatives.
ARAB STATES: 3rd Arab Conference on DRR, hosted by Qatar in collaboration with the League of Arab states.
•More than 100 participants representing 15 governments, regional and international organizations, civil society, the academic sector and youth.
•Reviewed progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, identified regional challenges and shared best practices and lessons learned.
•Endorsed a revised Arab Strategy for disaster risk reduction aligned with Sendai Framework and Agenda 2030.
•Adopted a regional plan of action to implement the regional strategy and issued a declaration that: a) reflects the Arab regions concerns and priorities; b) calls for the finalization of the plan of action for the Arab Strategy, the development of Arab regional tools, methodologies, and guidance for risk assessments that benefit from International and regional practices for DRR and take into account the specificities and needs of the region; c) calls for the strengthening of the role of science and technology in the Arab region through nominating a scientific body from each country to be represented in the Arab Science and Technology Advisory group, and to continue developing national and regional multi hazard early warning systems.
ASIA PACIFIC: 6TH Asian Ministerial Conferences on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) November 2016, New Delhi, India
•Resulted in the adoption of an Asia Regional Plan on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework (http://www.unisdr.org/2016/amcdrr).
•In the Pacific, UNISDR partners with the regional organisations to organize Joint Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Roundtables that play a key role in engaging with the governments and stakeholders in the Pacific region. Importantly, this forum in the Pacific highly contributes to integration of DRR and climate change at the policy level.
EUROPE: 2017 European Forum for DRR "Open Forum", hosted by the Government of Turkey through the Turkish disaster management authority AFAD - 26-28 March 2017, Istanbul
•530 participants including national and local level government representatives, the UN, European Union, parliamentarians, intergovernmental organizations, scientific and academic institutions, private sector, NGOs, persons with disabilities, migrants, and community based organizations and others.
•Issued the 17-point Istanbul Outcomes, underscoring the need to rein in the impacts of natural and human-induced hazards in Europe.
•Reinforced political commitment, generated solutions and expanded partnership towards a successful implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Plans for 2018: A new cycle of Regional Platforms is under preparations over 2018 to accelerate the implementation and monitoring of Sendai Framework through the respective regional strategies and plans. Their outcomes will influence the agenda-setting and inform the discussions of the 2019 Global Platform for DRR (May 2019, Geneva, Switzerland)
Forthcoming 2018 Regional Platforms for DRR include:
•6th Regional Platform for DRR for the Americas, 20-22 June 2018, Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia
•Joint Africa and Arab States Platforms for DRR, 26-30 June 2018, Tunis, Tunisia - At ministerial level (Ministers in-charge of disaster risk reduction/ management from Africa and Arab states). The main aim of the conference will be to generate political reaffirmation of governments as well as commitments of action from multiple stakeholders towards the implementation of the Sendai framework across both regions, lessons learned from both regions will be shared in the joint conference on the implementation of Sendai Framework.
•Sub-Regional Platform for Central Asia and the Caucasus, June 2018, Armenia
•Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR, 16-19 July, Ulanbaatar, Mongolia - will review the status of the implementation of the Sendai Framework and Asia Regional Plan and adopt a new Action Plan 2018-2020 which will accelerate the implementation of the Target E of the Sendai Framework on national and local DRR Strategies. (www.unisdr.org/amcdrr2018)
•EFDRR Open Forum, 21-23 November 2018, Rome, Italy
•Pacific - the future meetings will be held under a new mechanism called the Pacific Resilience Partnership that will support the implementation of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific: An Integrated Approach to Address Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2017-2030 (FRDP). The Pacific Resilience Partnership Meeting will begin in 2018 as the platform to consolidate the region's input into global reviews of progress against relevant international agreements, including at the biennial Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:
• United Nations Plan of Action on DRR for Resilience
https://www.preventionweb.net/publications/view/49076
• Implementing the Sendai Framework to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/50438
• UNISDR Strategic Framework 2016-2021
https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/51557
• UNISDR Annual Report 2016
https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/52253
• Report of the Secretary General: Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 A/72/259
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/N1723870.pdf